Measuring Valve Seat Leakage
By Spencer Chase
I don't think you can get a realistic measure of valve seat leakage by
applying pressure from the top. A valve will seat better with vacuum
from the bottom. Pressure from the top will tend to unseat the valve
whereas suction will help it to seat.
Under-suction is the normal operating situation; so this is how leakage
should be measured. I measure flow through an open valve with pressure
from the top. But I measure leakage with vacuum from the bottom. To
measure a single valve's leakage, you have to isolate it, which can be
difficult. You may have to make a suitable fixture to apply suction to
the bottom of the seat.
Spencer Chase
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(Message sent Fri 8 Feb 2008, 04:29:50 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.) |
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